THE gloomy weather will match the mood at Stourton Park after a disappointing defeat to Sheffield Tigers.

The clash between the teams lying fourth and fifth in National League Two North was always going to be a cagey affair and the game began with both teams probing their opposing defences.

Stourbridge looked more creative and on 12 minutes George Morgan made a storming run forward and passed wide to Mark Harrison who scored in the corner.

Sam Wilson slotted home the conversion from wide and the hosts had a deserved lead.

Sheffield hit back with a penalty from Mark Ireland from distance.

The game became techy with several off-the-ball incidents as both sides sought to dominate, Ireland brought his team to within one point with another penalty on 24 minutes.

Stour continued to press forward and Wilson bagged three points with a penalty after Tigers collapsed a maul.

Tigers bit back with a superb try after full back Peter Swatkins and James Broadly combined to power past Stourbridge.

Broadly ran in under the posts and Ireland added the extras to make the half time score 10-13.

On 54 minutes Stour’s Dan Rundle made a trademark speedy dash from inside his own territory, Morgan made more ground and from a ruck on five metres Nigel Mukarati did the rest to bag a try.

Wilson converted and Stour were back in front but Tigers piled on the pressure and on 58 minutes got their reward when Henri Packard found a gap in the home defence to cross the whitewash and Ireland added the conversion.

With time ticking away Stourbridge pushed forward and won a penalty in an attacking position and opted to scrum when three points were on offer.

The attack came to nothing and Last Chance Saloon beckoned when the hosts won another penalty on 80 minutes.

Sam Wilson opted to kick from 25 metres but pushed his attempt wide and the game finished 17-20 to the Tigers.